Replace need-based welfare programs with universal basic income. Everyone survives, but you always have an incentive to earn more money. Plus you eliminate layers of bureaucracy that does need testing, poorly.
When everyone gets it, it becomes baked into rents or mortgage payments, and I've never heard a convincing argument about how the money just doesn't go to rent seekers over time
If so how?
If not, how are they cheaper than somebody who only wants to work for fun?
True, unless there’s a land value tax. But a man can dream.
The ubi receiver still loses and needs other support
Alternatively, the recipient can run a homestead on his share of land.
Another solution is to invest more in our public housing stock. Private apartments could march up sure, but they'd be competing with the government building with subsidized rents designed to be affordable under the UBI plan, which would put downwards pressure on prices.
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/09/24/economi...